The Rev John Whittaker, vicar of Hinckley, is to leave the town after seven years of service at St Mary’s Church.

He has been appointed team Rector of Putney, in Southwark, London, where he will be based at another St Mary’s Church, just south of the River Thames.

Rev Whittaker is expected to lead his last service in Hinckley on July 29 before moving to the capital with his wife the Rev Helena Whittaker, who has served as associate minister at St Mary’s since 2015.

The couple’s teenage children Ed and Anna have also been part of the church family.

Rev Whittaker announced the move with a post on Facebook on February 20 saying: “After seven wonderful and fulfilling years at Hinckley, Summer 2018 will see us move when I take up being Team Rector of Putney Parish, focused on St Mary’s.”